Joint Media Statement
Takeover of Chinese newspapers not just a Chinese issue
The takeover of Nanyang and China Press is not just an issue affecting Chinese Malaysians. Rather it is of concern to all Malaysians who cherish freedom of expression. Malaysians of all ethnic and religious groups should oppose this deal, which further undermines what's left of our democracy and its fast disappearing system of checks and balances.
The Chinese language press has been known for its relatively independent reporting in stark contrast to the Star, a solidly pro-establishment English daily controlled by Huaren, the investment arm of the Malaysian Chinese Association, a partner in the ruling coalition. Already we hear that top management and senior editors at Nanyang and China Press have been asked to leave. They are likely to be replaced by pro-MCA personnel.
It is grossly inappropriate to argue that PAS has Harakah and the DAP has the Rocket, hence it is all right for MCA to control two mass circulation Chinese newspapers in addition to a national English daily.
Under the existing law, opposition political party publications like Harakah and the Rocket are only allowed to publish twice a month. Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press are daily, mass circulation newspapers. It is quite unlikely that the Home Ministry will now allow opposition parties to publish a daily newspaper. Second, under existing restrictions, opposition newspapers can only be sold to party members and cannot be sold publicly, again, quite unlike mass circulation newspapers. Third, parties like MCA and UMNO already have their own official party newspapers. Finally, it is extremely difficult for independent publishers to obtain a permit to print.
Despite what we have been told, the takeover is definitely not a pure business deal. It has huge political implications. The MCA is obviously hoping to use the Chinese press to mould public opinion within the Chinese community and to repair the damage done by the ruling coalition's controversial policies and statements. The takeover itself greatly reduces the already little space for independent newspaper reporting.
We call on all Malaysians to oppose the takeover of Nanyang and China Press on the grounds that it demolishes further the notion of press freedom and leads to a further erosion of democracy in Malaysia. Given that much of the mainstream media is already politically owned or linked, it is vital for Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press to remain relatively independent of partisan interests.
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We, the undersigned organizations, oppose Hume Industries' sale of its controlling stake in Nanyang Press Holdings Bhd, the publisher of Chinese-language dailies Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press, to Huaren Holdings Sdn Bhd.